Detecting equipment



Dec. 12, 1950 L. J. LA MARCA DETECTING EQUIPMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 18, 1946 H H H l h I I N I I HH "hul l l l llll INVENTOR. Louis JTLalNal rca BY fl%4% #flyf Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DETECTING EQUIPMENT Louis J. La Marca, Portsmouth, N. H.

Application November 18, 1946, Serial No. 710,654

3 Claims. i

This invention relates to detecting equipment and more particularly to equipment for use in connection with signalling devices, such as fire alarms, for obtaining or preserving evidence of the presence and identity of a person operating the signalling device. Heretofore it has been proposed to provide photographic equipment arranged to take a picture of a person operating a fire alarm device. The proposed photographic equipment was designed especially for being coordinated only with a particular type of alarm device, and could not easily be operatively associated with other alarm devices.

An object of this invention is to provide detecting equipment of the general character referred to which may be manufactured as standard units of basically uniform design, but which may easily be adapted for being cooperatively associated with any of a number of signalling devices of different sizes and shapes.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel equipment of the kind described which includes a simple and rugged enclosure structure containing photograph taking apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide equipment including such an enclosure structure and means for easily securing the structure to a support, for example, a post carrying a fire alarm box.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of equipment embodying the invention arranged in cooperative relationship to a fire alarm box;

Figure 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 3-3 of Figure l, drawn on an enlarged scale as compared to Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4--4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the equipment shown in Figures 1 and 2; and

Figure 6 is a wiring diagram.

For the purpose of illustration, the drawings show a preferred form of equipment for use in connection with a signalling device comprising a fire alarm box A mounted on a supporting post B. The alarm box A and post B are shown as being of conventional construction. One of the features of equipment embodying the invention is that it may easily be adapted or modified for 2 being mounted in cooperative association with any of many different types and sizes of alarm or signalling devices.

The equipment shown includes an enclosure structure or cubicle generally designated C including side walls I and 2, a top wall 3, bottom 4, and rear wall 5. These parts may be assembled from standard metal parts and welded or otherwise secured together and re-enforced in any approved manner. The front of the enclosure structure C is formed with an entrance opening 6 which normally is closed by a door 1 mounted on hinges ii. The door is not locked and can be opened at any time; but normally is held closed by an automatic closing device 9 of any known or suitable kind.

In accordance with the invention, one wall of the enclosure structure or cubicle C is formed with an opening adapted to receive the signalling device A so as to permit the latter to protrude into the structure C. Signalling devices such as fire alarm boxes in different localities vary as to size and shape. However, equipment embodying the invention may readily be adapted for I cooperative positioning with respect to different forms and sizes of signalling devices by merely providing an opening in one of the walls of the enclosure structure C. In the illustrative embodiment, the rear wall 5 is formed with an opening it which is conformed to the outline of the fire alarm box A and which is sufiiciently large to enable the box A to protrude through the rear wall 5.

Means are provided for easily securing the enclosure structure C to the support or post B. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, two securing structures generally designated H and H are mounted respectively at the top and bottom of the cubicle 0. Each structure it comprises two vertically spaced U-shaped straps l2-l2, the superposed ends of which are connected by vertical strips i3 and 14. The strip [3 of each securing structure I l is connected by a hinge I5 to a mounting plate i6 on the back wall 5. When it is desired to position the equipment in cooperative relationship to the box A and post B, the securing structures llil are manipulated or swung counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 4, about the hinges IS, the cubicle C is then moved into substantially abutting relationship to the post B and the structures H are then swung clockwise so as to bring the vertical strips [4 close to the cubicle rear wall 5. The strips l4 are apertured to provide ihasplike members which pass over apertured lugs 11 on the rear wall 5. When the securing structures II have been set in the positions shown in Figures 1 and 4, they may be locked in place by padlocks l8 placed on the lugs IT.

The enclosure structure C is provided with equipment for obtainin or preservingevidence of the presence of a person within the structure. Normally, the best legal evidence would be obtained or preserved by restraining or locking the person within the structure 0. I prefer to obtain and preserves photograph of any person entering the "enclosure structure "C. To this end, the cubicle C is provided with and encloses photograph taking means and means for actuating the latter to take a picture of a person within the cubicle.

In the form shown, the cubicle C is provided with a casing generally designated to including a front wall 26, a side wall '21, a bottom. 22, and another side wall and top which are common with portions of the cubicle walls 2 and 5. The casing front wall 2e is formed with an opening 23 covered by bullet=prooi glass as directly in line with a camera 25 mounted within the casing is so as to be inaccessible to a person in the cubicle G, being trained into the cubicle and toward the entrance opening G. The casing front wall 20 is also formed with an opening 26 covered by bullet proof glass 2"! directly in front of a flash bulb 28 carried by a reflector 28.

Means are provided for operating the camera shutter and touching on the flash bulb in response to ap'e'rs'ons entering :lrou'gh the opening e in the cubicle C. 1n the form-shown, a solenoid device 25 arranged to be energized by the 'clos ing of a switch mounted within the cubicle C so as to be engaged and actuated by the door 3 the latter is opened. The solenoid device is includes a plunger '35 which is connected to a shutter arm 32 on the "camera 25 and to a switch the closing of which lights or touches the bulb Current for operating the i jenoid -s supplied from line conductors 3 3- and leading to the primary winding of the trans former A conductor 3? leads from the line tl the switch st to one end of the primay win .mg while a conductor 38 leads directly from the line to the other end of the primary winding. Conductors 39 and ill lead from the to the ends of the winding of the solenoid d ice 2 3-. The conductor So also leads through abductor Ali to one terminal of the flash lamp 28, the other terminal of which leads thioiigh conductor s2 and the switch 33 to the cenduct'or When a person opens the door 'i to enter the cubicle C-Qthe door engages the switch 38 and "closes the latter so as to energize the transformer 36 and solenoid 29 for operating the plunger S1 to actuate the camera shutter arm 32 and close switch 33. Closing of the switch 33 causes hash bulb as to be touched on so that the camera shutter is opened in properly timed relationship t0 the flashing 0f the bulb 28, thus effecting the taking of a picture by the camera If desired, the cubicle C may be equipped with a hood-lamp 83 connected across the supply lines 35 and being adapted to be controlled by a manually operable -switch 44.

in accordance with 'a further feature of the intention, the equi ment within the casing 59 be accessible to authorized persons nom out= side the cubicle C. To this end the wan portion conunon totne casing I9 and the Ei'd Wall 2 of the cubicle is formed with an aperture 45 normally closed by a closuremember 56 mounted on hinges iii. The closure member is provided with a lock 48; and may be unlocked and opened by an authorized person for providing access to the camera 25 and other equipment Within the casing is without its being necessary to enter the cubicle C.

The construction shown by way of example embodies the invention in the form now preferred, but it will be understood that changes may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. An assembled equipment unit for use in conhection with a signalling device mounted on and protruding from a support, said unit consisting of an enclosure structure formed with an openmg of a shape and size to receive the signalling device when said enclosure structure is positioned substantially against the support so that tl1e=slgnalling device will protrude through and substantially close said opening and project into said enclosure structure to be housed therewithin; means for securing said enclosure structure to said support when so positioned; an entrance opening in said enclosure structure; a door normally closing said entrance opening; a casing within and to said enclosure structure and .ha'ving a plurality of walls one of which is constituted by a part of a wall of said enclosure strum ture; 'a camera mounted within said casing inaccessibly to a person in said enclosure structure and being aligned to encompass said entrance openin within its View; means mounted within and on enclosure structure adjacent said ehtrance opening and being operable in response-to opening of said door for automaticany actuating said camera; an aperture in said wall part coinmon to said enclosure structure and said casing for providing access to the interior of said from the exterior of said enclosure structure; and a lock-equipped closure for said aperture.

2. An assembled equipment unit for use in con: nection with a signalling device mounted on and protruding from a support, said unit consisting of an enclosure structure formed with an opening or a shape and size to receive the signalling device when said enclosure structure is positioned substantially against the support so that the signalling device W111 protrude through and substantially close said opening and project into said en closure structure to be housed therewithin; means for securing said enclosure structure to said sup port when so positioned, said means comprising a strap, a connection between one end of strap and said enclosure structure which enables said enclosure structure to be abutt'ed against said support and said strap then swung about said connection to embrace said support with the other end of said strap being close to said sh closure structure, and means for securing said other end of said strap to said enclosure structure; an entrance opening in said enclosure structure; a door normally closing said entrance opening; a casing within and fixed to said en= closure structure and having a, plurality of walls one of which is constituted by a part of a wall of said enclosure structure; a camera mounted'with in said casing inaccessibly to a person in said sh closure structure and being aligned to encompass said entrance 7 opening within its view; insane mounted within and on said enclosure structure adjacent said entrance'opening and being opera-- ble in response to opening of said door .ror automatically actuating said camera; an aperture in said wall part common to said enclosure structure and said casing for providing access to the interior of said casing from the exterior of said enclosure structure; and a lock-equipped closure for said aperture.

3. An assembled equipment unit for use in connection with a fire alarm box mounted on and protruding from a post, said unit consisting of an enclosure structure formed with an opening of a shape and size to receive the box when said enclosure structure is positioned substantially against the post so that the box will protrude through and substantially close said opening and project into said enclosure structure to be housed there-within; means for securing said enclosure structure to said post when so positioned, said means comprising a U-shaped strap, a hinge connection between one end of said strap and said enclosure structure which enables said enclosure structure to be abutted against said post and said strap then swung about said hinge connection to embrace said post with the other end of said strap being close to said enclosure structure, and means for securing said other end of said strap to said enclosure structure; an entrance opening in said enclosure structure; a door normally closing said entrance opening; a casing within and fixed to said enclosure structure and having a plurality of walls one of which is constituted by a part of a wall of said enclosure structure; a camera mounted within said casing inaccessibly to a person in said enclosure structure and being aligned to encompass said entrance opening within its view; means mounted within and on said enclosure structure adjacent said entrance opening and being operable in response to opening of said door for automatically actuating said camera; an aperture in said wall part common to said enclosure structure and said casing for providing access to the interior of said casing from the exterior of said enclosure structure; and a lock-equipped closure for said aperture.

LOUIS J. LAMARCA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 720,347 Hofstatter Feb. 10, 1903 790,822 Gale et al May 23, 1905 1,664,672 Emens Apr. 3, 1928 1,891,242 Rothman et a1 Dec. 20, 1932 2,287,657 Wiscol June 23, 1942 2,359,628 Dal Oct. 3, 1944 2,377,036 Quarfoot May 29, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 240,178 Germany Oct. 28, 1911 453,769 France June 16, 1913 

